I attribute much of my daughter’s success to the skills she is learning in her therapeutic riding lessons. She has grown in social skills and athleticism that enriches her life.

– Matthew Clous

Our Mission

Dreams on Horseback was founded to help people with challenges improve their lives through horse-assisted learning experiences and education.

Give

Riley’s anxiety has lifted. Alicia takes her medicine willingly in exchange for riding lessons. Ben can walk farther and stand longer. Cameron’s attitude at school has improved. Ruth’s caregivers have seen a decrease in her agitation. Important dreams fulfilled by your gift of hope to Dreams on Horseback.

Donate Today

Volunteer

As part of our team, you will get to live the dream right alongside our students, inspiring staff, and gentle horses. Have experience with horses? Wonderful! No experience? No problem! We will provide training and opportunity as you grow into an important part of our Dreams family of volunteers.

Learn More

Participate

Riding lessons are offered to people of all ages and abilities. Depending on your personal goals, riding lesson objectives can range from therapeutic based activities on horseback to preparation for off-site horse show participation. Get started working toward your personal riding goals today!

Participate Today

In The News

Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback:
Where Connection is Key

In The News

John Ondo of OndoMedia was recently awarded his fourth Emmy for his video essay on the importance of the work we do at Dreams on Horseback to two of our participants and their families. Please enjoy John’s award winning film!

Military Connections 2018 from Ondo Media on Vimeo.

Special Event

Polo Party

POLO PARTY BENEFITTING DREAMS ON HORSEBACK

Do you enjoy the Walk, Trot, and Decanter Gala? If you do, you don’t want to miss our Inaugural Polo Party Benefitting Dreams on Horseback! Come to the PLAY POLO Field on Harlem Road in Westerville, just north of New Albany after work on Friday, June 7. There you will be greeted by Dreams on Horseback’s friendly staff who will direct you to either the general admission area ($20 donation per car) where you can park field side and tailgate with your family, or you will be directed to the VIP Tent (special inaugural pricing of $50 per ticket). VIP ticket holders will enjoy a lovely buffet, featuring grilled chicken, a summer salad, and pesto pasta salad, while also indulging in creative desserts, wines, and craft beers. Learn about the game of polo, participate in the time-honored divot stomp at half time, purchase an appealing silent auction item, and leave feeling like you’ve kicked into summer mode. Bring friends! Invite coworkers! See you there!

Dreams on Horseback is currently seeking event sponsors ranging from $1000 to $5000 levels. Contact Ellen Lee at Ellen@dreamsonhorseback.org.

 

Events and News

2019

L to R: JT Todd, Carey Wallace, Amy Jo Donohew, Ron Kendle, Executive Director and Founder Jennifer Hansen, Michele Duffill, Board President Kevin Wallace, Cory LaCrosse, Jason Smeck

Walk, Trot, & Decanter Gala

We Thank You for Your Support at The Walk, Trot, and Decanter Gala

Because of you, Dreams on Horseback raised record funds at this year's spring gala!
Because of you, Dreams on Horseback can offer horse-partnered hope and healing to those waiting for our services.
Whether inquiries for services come from parents who long for an alternative therapy for their child, or a teen who asks for a first step on the road to employment, or a caregiver of a senior who longs to restore a sense of peace in their client's life, or a veteran who seeks a connection, Dreams on Horseback's staff longs to say "come to our farm," and because of you, they can.

With Sincere Appreciation,
The Dreams on Horseback
Board of Directors

Check out more pictures at http://kelseywalnephotography.pass.us/2019dreamsgala/

Ohio Automobile Dealer Association

Jennifer Hansen, Executive Director of Dreams on Horseback, accepts a check from Jeff Brindley, President of Roush Auto Group, on behalf of the Ohio Automobile Dealer Association and it’s participating sponsors. Founded 17 years ago, Dreams on Horseback will use this incredible donation of $73,000 to propel the organization's impact into the next decade.  Special congratulations to Mr. Brindley for being selected OADA's 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Dreams on Horseback Awarded an Autism Speaks Grant

The mission of Autism Speaks is "enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow across the spectrum and throughout the life span."

Autism Speaks' funding to service providers, like Dreams on Horseback, focuses on programs that provide people with autism with social and educational experiences.

Dreams on Horseback is proud to be a recipient of an Autism Speaks grant to support our young people who are seeking vocational training through our Ready to Work program. (see above)

Dreams on Horseback is Grateful to Roush Auto Group

Roush Auto Group’s support of our horse transport team at Dreams on Horseback accommodates all our horse transport needs. Whether we are acquiring new horse partners, taking them off site for medical treatment, or hauling them to Special Olympics competition, we know our horse partners will arrive safely thanks to Roush Auto Group.

AEP Awards Dreams on Horseback Grant to Help Young People with Disabilities Transition to Work

AEP recently granted $5000 to Dreams on Horseback to fund a fall vocational training program for young people who have aged beyond the support of the educational system and are needing specialized training to enter the workforce. AEP will partner with Dreams to teach participants the importance of pace, quantity and quality of work, to help them learn to talk with supervisors and co-workers, and to instill in them a value of timeliness and appropriate workplace habits - all in an effort to increase their ability to participate in competitive or lightly supported employment. Thank you AEP for seeking to improve the lives of our participants through horse partnered learning with Dreams on Horseback.

Our Programs

Program Descriptions

While Dreams on Horseback frequently custom designs programs for diverse groups, the following reflect our permanent programming opportunities:

Therapeutic Riding Lessons

Children and adults with special needs tackle their individual challenges from atop one of our kind and gentle therapy horses. Trained and certified instructors use engaging activities and games to encourage their students to solve problems, face fears, and complete physical tasks. Students are assisted by supportive side-walkers and a horse handler as they grow in competence.

Equine Assisted Learning

Horses are unique in their ability to read our non-verbal cues and give clear non-verbal feedback to us. These natural responses by our equine partners lay the groundwork for gifted instructors to lead participants on a journey of introspection. Participants may be asked to observe their equine partner’s response to them. What does this tell the participant about himself? It is up to the participant to decide.

Alzheimer’s Sensory Experiences

Seniors enjoy an outing to the farm where they are introduced to our horses through a variety of sensory experiences such as grooming, touching, education and observation. These sessions are led by our sensitive staff who have years of experience serving our seniors. An OSU study conducted in conjunction with Dreams on Horseback found that this program lessened agitation in participants.

Vocational Training

Dreams on Horseback offers young adults with special needs the opportunity to learn valuable work and social skills needed for the workplace. Students learn and provide the authentic service of caring for our barn and horses. Staff helps students realize and implement skills which will guarantee their success in their first work experience beyond Dreams on Horseback.

Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback

Dreams on Horseback is honored to host our military and veterans. These men and women learn the joys of horsemanship while participating in equine-assisted learning workshops that are designed with the unique experiences of military personnel and veterans in mind. Military and veterans are given the training necessary to serve as side-walkers or handlers for fellow service men or women riders or for our therapeutic lesson students.

Field Trips

Would your group enjoy a trip to the farm? Let us design a field trip customized to your time frame and preferred format (educational or experiential). Experience life on the farm, learn some fun facts about horses and their care, go for a handler led ride, and enjoy our beautiful grounds where you can lunch creek side in our beautiful wooded picnic grounds.

Traditional Riding Lessons

Dreams on Horseback offers traditional riding lessons for individuals wishing to learn to ride in either the English or Western tradition. These lessons are open to all individuals weighing less than 200 lbs. Whether your goals are to learn basic riding and horsemanship skills, or to prepare for off-grounds horse showing, Dreams on Horseback can help you reach your goals. Most traditional lessons are held at Stepping Stone Stables.

Corporate Team Building

Groups, such as corporate work teams, can also benefit from Equine Assisted Learning Methods. Participants are challenged to examine their role in their group by working together to meet a challenge put forth by the instructor. You'll never know where equine assisted learning might take you.

Schedule a Visit Today

Our programs, trips, and experiences are customize-able and flexible to fit a diverse array of needs. Contact us soon to find out more.

Our Partners and Donors

Helping others reach their dreams through horse-assisted programming can only happen through the pairing of our passion and your generous support. We thank you!